West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-07-08
THE PENITENTIARY.

JEFFERSON Co., July 5th.-I de-
sire to publish something about the
management of the penitentiary un-
der Col. Peck, Ewing and Robertson.
This is my duty as well as pleasure
in consequence of the defamatory
reports concerning Col. Peck's man.
agement. When l was put under
his charge, Col. Peck had been in
office one year, with Wilkinson as
his assistant. For some personal
motive Wilkinson, aided by some of
the guards, set to work to prejudice
the prisoners against Col. Peck, and
to considerable extent was success
full. He and the guards allowed
privileges, forbidden by the Direc-
tors, to gain favor with the prison
ers. The public know that Wilkin-
son resigned, and determined to
bring about an investigation, and
that Legislative Committee in
quired into the charge of cruelty.
Being an inmate of the prison, l
know things not known to the pub
lie. A number OF the most disorder
" men were summoned to testify
against Peck, and some of their evil
dence was really absurd. Harry
Williams, undoubtedly the lowest
among the prisoners, and who was
serving third term, claimed to
have been badly treated and gave
the strongest testimony. He was a
man of extraordinary physical ca
pacity, weighing about $50 pounds.
He was punished for snort work.
Mr.. Peck, by personal observation,
saw that he could do his work and
made him do it. The prisoners who
sided with Wilkinson supposed that
l was in sympathy with them and
talked freely before me. Some of
them did not hesitate to say that
Peck had provided more literally
and looked closer to their comfort
than any other superintendent had
ever done. He furnished better
food and had it better cooked. He
would walk around after the tables
were set and see that things were
right. He gave close personal atten-
ton to see that everything was clean.
He had the buckets brought into
the cell building after supper instead
of before supper. This kept the
guards on duty half an hour longer.
But now, in order that the guards
may be off as early at $50 p. m, the
buckets are brought in at 3 o'clock.
Any one can see that the air in the
cells would be purer if the buckets
are brought in after supper. He also
let the prisoners stay in the yard all
day on Sundays so they could be
refreshed by the open air. This
kept the guards on duty and the
Directors, not understanding all the
circumstances, forbid it. Now be-
tween $50 and 275 men are kept
cooped up in cells Al by feet, with
the thermometer in summer gener-
ally above 95, from II o'clock Sun
day till 6 a. m. Monday, and this in
order that the guards might have a
halliday holiday. Let me here say
that some of the guards are unfit for
the place. They arc not the kind Of
men to be in that position. A great
deal of care should betaken in select
ing guards, and this is a matter that
deserves more care on part of the di-
rectors. Let me mention another
thing. Before Mr.. Peck was put in
charge, the prisoners were obliged
to eat without washing, but he had
a wash-place made in the dining
room for wet and cold weather. In
fair weather they wash in the yard.
1t is within my personal knowledge
that some of the men who were
against Peck are sorry for what they
did. He paid close attention to the
conduct of the prisoners, and those
who deserved it always received as
good treatment as the discipline
would permit. When the Board re-
fused the requisition for tobacco for
one month, Col. Peck bought it on
his own responsibility. In regard
to Mr.. Ewing, he was not in Office
long enough to become acquainted
with what was necessary and he did
not give the personal attention that
Col. Peck gave. Consequently he
was not able to do justice because he
did not see for himself what occur
red. / was in the prison SO short
time under Mr.. Robertson that i
know very little of his management.
At the time / was discharged, hav-
ing been pardoned, Thomas j. John
son was Captain of the guards. He
gave Col. Peck a good cursing in my
hearing and told me to say some
thing against him. Being at liberty,
l replied / would give him justice
and that is what l have endeavored
to doin the foregoing lines. would
have been glad to testify before the
committee but had no opportunity
to do so. / am certain Col. Peck
was done injustice.